Mark 15:22

KJV

¶ And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they bring {G5342} him {G846} unto {G1909} the place {G5117} Golgotha {G1115}, which {G3739} is {G2076}, being interpreted {G3177}, The place {G5117} of a skull {G2898}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They brought Yeshua to a place called Gulgolta (which means "place of a skull"),

Berean Standard Bible

They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull.

American Standard Version

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:22 describes the solemn arrival of Jesus at Golgotha, the designated site for His crucifixion. This verse marks a pivotal moment, signaling the culmination of His journey of suffering and the immediate prelude to His ultimate sacrifice. Mark's inclusion of the interpretation, "The place of a skull," underscores the grim reality of the location and its profound significance in the unfolding narrative of redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the intense mockery and physical abuse Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman soldiers (Mark 15:16-20) and the conscription of Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross (Mark 15:21). It is the final step before the actual crucifixion begins in Mark 15:23. The narrative flow is relentless, moving from the unjust condemnation to the brutal preparations, and now, the arrival at the execution ground. This progression heightens the dramatic tension and emphasizes the deliberate, unyielding path Jesus walks towards His atoning death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a public, brutal, and humiliating form of execution designed to terrorize and deter rebellion. Executions in Roman-occupied Judea, especially of this nature, were typically carried out outside the city walls of Jerusalem. This practice served multiple purposes: it prevented the defilement of the holy city, provided a stark public spectacle for deterrence, and aligned with Jewish custom for certain executions to occur "outside the camp" (cf. [Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). Golgotha, also known by its Latinized name Calvary, was a recognized site for such executions, likely a small hill or rocky outcrop. Its name, "place of a skull," might have derived from its physical appearance resembling a skull, or more grimly, from the discarded skulls and bones of previous victims left at the site, reinforcing its desolate and morbid character.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 15:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel. It highlights the **Messiah's Suffering and Humiliation**, showing Jesus enduring the ultimate public indignity. The journey to Golgotha, often called the "Via Dolorosa" in tradition, underscores the theme of **Willing Sacrifice**, as Jesus continues His path toward the cross, a path He foretold and embraced (see [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering")). Furthermore, the explicit identification of Golgotha as "The place of a skull" implicitly emphasizes the **Reality of Death and Sin's Consequence**, setting the stage for the profound theological truth that it is precisely at this place of death that the greatest victory over sin and death will be achieved through Christ's resurrection, foreshadowing the triumph found in passages like [Mark 16:6](/mark/16-6 "Mark 16:6 - He Has Risen!").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Golgotha (Chaldee, _Golgothâ'_):** This word, of Chaldee origin, means "the skull." Mark's inclusion of this Aramaic term, immediately followed by its Greek interpretation, demonstrates his intent to provide clarity for his non-Jewish audience. The name itself vividly conveys the grim and desolate nature of the execution site, a place associated with death and decay. Its very sound would have evoked a sense of dread and finality.
* **being interpreted (Greek, _methermēneúō'_):** This verb signifies "to explain over" or "to translate." Mark's use of this phrase is crucial for his Gentile readership, ensuring they grasp the meaning of the unfamiliar Aramaic place name. It highlights Mark's role as a theological communicator, making the historical and cultural context of Jesus' crucifixion accessible and understandable to a broader audience, emphasizing the universal significance of the event.
* **skull (Greek, _kraníon'_):** This word, from which we derive "cranium," directly translates the Aramaic "Golgotha." It refers literally to the bony framework of the head. Its presence in the verse underscores the morbid reality of the location—a place where life was taken, where death was evident, and where the physical remains of the condemned might have been visible. The "place of a skull" becomes a stark symbol of human mortality and the wages of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they bring him unto the place Golgotha,"**: This clause describes the forced journey of Jesus, led by the Roman soldiers ("they"), to the designated execution site. The verb "bring" (Greek: _phérō_) implies a forceful leading, not a willing procession. The mention of "the place Golgotha" immediately identifies the grim destination, a location notorious for its association with death and public execution, signaling the imminent climax of Jesus' suffering.
* **"which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull."**: This explanatory clause, characteristic of Mark's writing for a Gentile audience, provides the crucial meaning of the Aramaic name "Golgotha." By translating it as "The place of a skull," Mark ensures his readers understand the desolate and morbid nature of the site. This interpretation serves to emphasize the gravity and horror of the events about to unfold, reinforcing the reality of Jesus' physical suffering and death in a location synonymous with mortality.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Toponymy** is central, as the specific naming of "Golgotha" with its interpretation emphasizes the historical and geographical reality of Jesus' crucifixion. This is not a mythical event but one that occurred in a concrete, identifiable location. The phrase "which is, **being interpreted**, The place of a skull" functions as an **Explanatory Parenthesis** or a **Gloss**. This direct translation highlights Mark's pastoral concern for his non-Aramaic-speaking audience, ensuring they fully grasp the grim significance of the place. Furthermore, there is a profound **Irony** at play: a "place of a skull," a symbol of death and defeat, is where the ultimate victory over death will be secured through Christ's resurrection. This sets up a powerful contrast between the apparent triumph of evil and the hidden triumph of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:22 is more than a geographical marker; it is a theological signpost. The arrival at Golgotha signifies the appointed place where God's ultimate plan of redemption would unfold. It is the locus where the sin of humanity, symbolized by the "place of a skull" and its association with death, would be confronted and conquered by the sinless Lamb of God. This moment underscores the profound reality of Jesus' atoning sacrifice—a real death, in a real place, for real sin. It speaks to the costliness of grace and the depth of divine love that would lead the Son of God to such a desolate and humiliating site to secure salvation for all who believe.

* [Matthew 27:33](/matthew/27-33 "Matthew 27:33 - Golgotha in Matthew's Gospel")
* [Luke 23:33](/luke/23-33 "Luke 23:33 - Golgotha in Luke's Gospel")
* [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Golgotha in John's Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The journey to Golgotha, culminating in this verse, invites us to pause and deeply consider the gravity of Jesus' sacrifice. It was not a theoretical act, but a tangible, physical progression to a specific, grim location. This "place of a skull" reminds us of the stark reality of sin and its consequence: death. Yet, it is precisely at this place that the greatest act of love and redemption occurred. For us today, reflecting on Golgotha should evoke a profound sense of awe and gratitude. It challenges us to remember the immense cost of our salvation, purchased not with fleeting things, but with the precious blood of Christ at a place of ultimate suffering. It calls us to live lives worthy of such a sacrifice, acknowledging that our redemption was secured in a real place, through real pain, by a real Savior who willingly went there for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing the meaning of "Golgotha" deepen my understanding and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice?**
* **What emotions or thoughts are evoked in me when I consider that Jesus willingly went to "the place of a skull" for my sin?**
* **How does the historical and geographical reality of Golgotha impact my personal faith and commitment to Christ today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Mark feel the need to interpret "Golgotha" for his readers?**

Answer: Mark was primarily writing for a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience, likely in Rome. The name "Golgotha" is an Aramaic word, which would have been unfamiliar to most of his readers. By providing the interpretation "The place of a skull," Mark ensures that his audience fully grasps the grim and morbid nature of the execution site. This detail not only aids comprehension but also underscores the severity of Jesus' suffering and the reality of His death in a location synonymous with mortality, making the narrative more impactful for those unfamiliar with Jewish customs or the local language.

**Is Golgotha the same as Calvary?**

Answer: Yes, Golgotha and Calvary refer to the same location. "Golgotha" is the Aramaic name for the place, meaning "skull." "Calvary" is the Latinized form of the Greek word _kraníon_ (κρανίον), which also means "skull." The King James Version of the Bible uses "Calvary" in [Luke 23:33](/luke/23-33 "Luke 23:33 - The Place Called Calvary"), while the other Gospels (including Mark 15:22) use "Golgotha" and then provide its interpretation. So, they are simply different linguistic terms for the same significant place of Jesus' crucifixion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Golgotha, "The place of a skull," though a site of profound human suffering and death, becomes the ultimate stage for Christ's triumph over sin and death. It is here that the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offers Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. The apparent victory of evil at this desolate place is utterly subverted by the resurrection, which transforms Golgotha from a symbol of despair into the epicenter of hope. Through His death on this skull-shaped hill, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). What was meant for humiliation became the means of glorification, and the "place of a skull" became the birthplace of eternal life for all who believe, demonstrating God's immense love for us while we were still sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Thus, Golgotha is not merely a historical location but a foundational theological truth, signifying the complete and victorious work of Christ that conquered death and opened the way to new life in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:33

¶ And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

Matthew 27:44

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

John 19:17

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

John 19:27

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

Luke 23:27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

Luke 23:38

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.